Ford
Capri RS3100

Why it matters

The RS3100 was the road-going homologation version of the Capri racer for 1974, built after the BMW 3.0 CSL had overtaken the RS2600 in touring car racing. It combined a bored-out 3.1-litre Essex V6 developed with Cosworth with Ford's first homologated aerodynamic aids on a Capri: a ducktail rear spoiler and a front lip spoiler. Fewer than 250 road cars were built, all right-hand drive.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Ford's early touring-car success with the RS2600 ended in the later part of the 1973 season when the BMW 3.0 CSL beat it. A mid-1973 FIA rule change allowed road-homologated wings for racing, and Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) developed the RS3100 as the homologation car. With the Weslake RS2600 engine programme at its limit, Ford moved to the 3-litre Essex V6 and agreed with Cosworth that a bored-out 3.1-litre unit was a good base for the racing engine.

Production began in November 1973 at Halewood and, according to the auction catalogue, was finished by January 1974, when the model was homologated; it overlapped with the Mk2 Capri due in February 1974. At GBP 2,450 and during the oil crisis it sold slowly. A pre-series prototype built at AVO South Ockendon in 1972 survives as a one-owner car and was the last RS3100 to be registered, in 1975.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Distinguishing features are the large matt black ducktail rear spoiler, front bib spoiler, dummy louvres, flared front arches and the unique colour schemes. Seven colours were used: 60 Diamond White, 49 Daytona Yellow, 59 Sebring Red, 25 Modena Green, 20 Stardust Silver, 27 Olympic Blue and 10 Marine Blue, all with gold decals around the power bulge, rear panel and a triple line down the sides. The engine has blue-painted rocker covers, and production cars use BBECND-series chassis numbers. Interior is from the UK 3000 GXL with a 130 mph speedometer; AVO four-spoke alloys, black quarter front bumpers, a full-width black rear bumper and quad headlamps complete the look. The prototype differs: fixed rear quarter windows, flat three-spoke wheel, black rocker covers and the unique chassis number BFECRK.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Ford RS Owners Club – Capri RS3100 Level B

   • 250 cars built at Halewood (Nov 1973)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1974 Ford Capri RS3100, lot 218 Level C Iconic Auctioneers · 2025-11-08

   • 3.1-litre 'Essex' V6, co-developed with Cosworth
   • 3.1-litre 'Essex' V6
   • fuelled by a Weber 38DGAS twin-choke carburettor
   • 4-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels
   • 4-speed manual gearbox
   • through a 4-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels
   • ventilated front disc brakes, 9" rear drums

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Ford RS Owners Club, RS models overview Level B The Ford RS Owners Club

   • Capri RS3100 Engine cc: 3091cc (RS models overview)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   1973 Ford Capri RS3100, lot 202 Level C Iconic Auctioneers · 2023-11-11

   • 148bhp at 5,200rpm and 187lb/ft of torque at 3,000rpm
   • 148bhp at 5,200rpm
   • 187lb/ft of torque at 3,000rpm
   • modified front cross-member ... negative camber ... Bilsten gas dampers
   • competition single leaf rear springs combined with uprated Bilsten gas dampers
   • shared its brakes ... with the RS2600
   • top speed of 125mph
   • 0 - 60mph in 7.3 seconds

   Accessed 2026-11-12